PSM wants to meet Hannah Yeoh over sepak takraw crisis

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association (PSM) wants to have a meeting with newly-appointed Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh in a move to resolve the country's sepak takraw crisis.

Its president, Datuk Sumali Reduan said the seemingly endless 'war' involving the two national sepak takraw bodies must come to an end immediately so as to not affect the country's sepak takraw development.

"Let me solve the matter internally at the PSM level and with the Youth and Sports Minister, that is the best option so that she knows and understands why the issues arise.

"I have written and called the previous minister but didn't have the chance to meet him. I am sure the new minister is approachable and this is my opportunity to tell her everything," he told reporters at a dinner held in conjunction with the 56th Piala Emas Khir Johari Sepak Takraw Championship, last night.

Asked whether PSM would be dissolved if there was still no end in sight to the crisis, Sumali said he would continue to find a solution to avoid it from happening.

"We are always working towards it (to ensure PSM will not be dissolved). But if it cannot be avoided, I'll accept it," he said.

"We have done much and we want to do more (for the country's sepak takraw) but we got sidetracked by the issues," he said.

The national sepak takraw crisis began when the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation (Astaf) did not recognise the Malaysian Sepaktakraw Association (PSM) in May 2021.

It follows the actions of its then-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Ismail - in his capacity as Astaf deputy president - sending a letter to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on February 24 last year.

On March 5, ASTAF accepted the Malaysian Sepaktarkraw Confederation (MSC) as its affiliate, after the Sports Commissioner and the Ministry of Youth and Sports supported the application submitted by MSC.

-- BERNAMA